Workstation intended for use in an office environment

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a workstation intended in particular for use in an office environment, including a work surface supported by at least one support with a set of feet, the workstation being intended to be placed directly on the ground, the work surface having an angle α to the horizontal plane, wherein the angle α is greater than or equal to 2° and less than or equal to 4°.

This invention relates to a workstation comprising a work surface supported by at least one support element.

The workstation is intended to receive documents, such as books, sheets, and tools, such as a telephone, computer, allowing the user to perform his or her work, in particular office work where the user is sitting.

Many studies show a link between the layout of the workstation and the well-being, comfort, safety and effectiveness of the user. The layout of the workstation is all the more so important when the user spends a lot of time at his or her workstation.

Therefore, prolonged use of the workstation can become unpleasant for the user and even generate pain which can require the user having to rest which penalizes the latter in performing their work.

There is therefore a continuous need to improve the comfort and the well-being of users, in particular there is a need to improve the ergonomics of workstations.

There is therefore a need for a workstation that offers improved usage comfort in relation to existing workstations.

This invention aims to propose a new workstation that satisfies this need.

To this effect, this invention has for object a workstation intended in particular for use in an office environment comprising a work surface supported by at least one support element comprising a set of feet, with the workstation being intended to be placed directly on the ground, with the work surface having an angle α to the horizontal plane, characterized in that the angle α is greater than or equal to 2° and less than or equal to 4°.

The term “horizontal plane” here means a plane that is substantially parallel to the ground whereon the user is positioned.

Advantageously, the inclination of the work surface by an angle α greater than or equal to 2° and less than or equal to 4° offers better usage comfort of the workstation.

The workstation according to the invention can also comprise one or several of the characteristics hereinbelow, considered individually or according to any technically possible combinations:

-   -   the angle α is greater than or equal to 2.5°; and/or     -   the angle α is less than or equal to 3.5°; and/or     -   the work surface comprises a longitudinal direction and the work         surface is supported by the at least one support element in such         a way that the straight line defined by the intersection of the         work surface and of the horizontal plane is parallel to the         longitudinal direction of the work surface; and/or     -   the work surface is arranged in such a way that its side         intended to receive the user is lower than the opposite side of         the work surface; and/or     -   the workstation comprises means of inclination that make it         possible to adjust the angle α between 2° and 4°; and/or     -   the work surface has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and         less than or equal to 85 cm; and/or     -   the support is a frame whereon the work surface is cantilever         mounted; and/or     -   the support comprises a set of feet; and/or     -   the feet can be adjusted in height from a sitting position to a         standing position; and/or     -   the workstation comprises a single evenly inclined work surface.

The invention shall be better understood in light of the following description which is provided solely for the purposes of information and which does not have for purpose to limit said invention, accompanied by the figures hereinbelow:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a workstation according to prior art,

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a workstation according to the invention.

In the various figures, similar elements are designated by identical references. Furthermore, the various elements are not necessarily shown to scale so as to present a view that makes it possible to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a workstation 10 according to prior art. It comprises a single work surface 12 supported by a support element 14. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a user 30 is using the workstation in sitting position on a chair 40.

The work surface 12 is usually arranged with a zero angle of inclination in relation to a horizontal plane of which the guiding axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the ground whereon the work surface 12 rests.

As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal configuration of the work surface 12 leads to a leaning forward position of the user. In this position, the vertebral column of the user is curved forwards generating tension in the vertebral column, in particular on the cervical vertebrae. The holding of this leaning forward position for long periods of time, typically several hours, can lead in time to cervical lesions.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a workstation 20 according to the invention.

The workstation 20 according to the invention comprises a single work surface 12 supported by a support element 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the work surface 12 is evenly inclined and has an angle α to the horizontal plane, the angle α being greater than or equal to 2° and less than or equal to 4°.

The inventors have observed that the inclination of the work surface 12 by an angle between 2° and 4° substantially increases the comfort of the user.

This improvement in comfort is even more visible when the inclination of the work surface is greater than or equal to 2.5° and less than or equal to 3.5°.

Indeed, as shown in FIG. 2, the inclination of the work surface 12 according to the invention favors the straightening of the vertebral column of the user, as such avoiding cervical lesions resulting from a prolonged leaning posture.

Furthermore, the inclination of the work surface 12 according to the invention allows for better support for the forearms of the user. This better support makes it possible to reduce the risks of pain in the wrists of the user in particular the risks linked to the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome.

In addition, the inclination of the work surface 12 according to the invention allows the user to have the elbows lower which allows for a loosening of the shoulders.

The inventors have been able to confirm the selection of values of the angles of inclination of the invention by conducting a test with a population of 400 representative users in terms of morphology.

Each user performed common work tasks, such as writing, reading and typing on a computer, on a workstation according to prior art and a workstation with a work surface inclined by an angle α to the horizontal plane.

The results of this test show that 100% of the users feel an improvement in the comfort of use when they perform the common work tasks on a workstation of which the work surface is inclined by an angle α greater than or equal to 2° and less than or equal to 4°.

The ergonomic study, conducted on a panel of users, demonstrated that using a work surface according to this invention causes a natural straightening of the upper portion of the body, as such generating a posture that is balanced better and that reduces the tensions on the muscles, ligaments and the articular surfaces.

This study also revealed that beyond 4° of inclination, the device progressively loses its interest. 100% positive results are obtained with an inclination of 3° then a progressive decrease is observed in the satisfaction of the users starting from 4°.

The inventors have observed that an angle of inclination less than 2° did not significantly increase the comfort of the user.

Likewise, when the angle of inclination is greater than 4° discomfort appears, which is in particular due to the sliding of elements on the work surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, the work surface 12 is arranged in such a way that its side 12 a intended to receive the user is lower than the opposite side 12 b of the work surface 12.

According to an embodiment, the work surface of a workstation 12 according to the invention has a rectangular shape with a longitudinal direction. The work surface is supported by the support element in such a way that the straight line defined by the intersection of the work surface and of the horizontal plane is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the work surface.

The workstation according to the invention has a single evenly inclined work surface. Conventional inclined workstations have disadvantages beyond a certain inclination, such as for example a sliding of cylindrical objects placed on the surface thereof. In order to overcome these disadvantages the so-called ergonomic workstations sometimes have a plurality of work surface that are more or less inclined. The workstation according to the invention makes it possible to obtain the advantages of the inclined plane while still retaining a single work surface. This is possible only by the particular angle of inclination that was determined by the inventor in terms of ergonomic studies conducted on a panel of several hundred users.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the workstation according to the invention can also comprise means of inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle of inclination a between 2° and 4°.

Advantageously, the means of inclination allow each user to adjust the angle of inclination as such increasing the comfort of the user.

The means of inclination can be manual, for example by means of a screw, or be motorized, for example by using an electric motor that drives a screw.

Typically, the work surface of a workstation according to the invention has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm, for example greater than or equal to 75 cm, and less than or equal to 85 cm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support 14 of a workstation 20 according to the invention can include a set of feet, for example 2 or 4 feet, with the workstation being intended to be placed directly on the ground.

According to an alternative of the invention, the support 14 is a frame whereon the work surface is cantilever mounted.

Recent studies tend to prove that the standing position is suitable for office work, this position in particular decreases back and cervical pain caused by a prolonged sitting position. Offices of the “standing office” type as such allow the user to perform office work while remaining standing.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support of the workstation comprises a set of feet that can be adjusted in height from a sitting position to a standing position. The sitting position corresponds to a working height of the workstation for a user sitting on an office bureau, for example a height greater than or equal to 65 cm and less than or equal to 85 cm. The standing position corresponds to a working height of the workstation for a user who is standing up, for example a height greater than or equal to 100 cm and less than or equal to 140 cm. These height-adjustable feet allow the user of the workstation to switch from a sitting position to a standing position while still retaining the benefits of the particular angle of inclination of the work surface.

The invention was described hereinabove using embodiments shown in the figures, without limiting the general inventive concept.

Many other modifications and variations will be self-evident to those skilled in the art, after reflection on the various embodiments shown in this application. These embodiments are provided as an example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is determined exclusively by the claims hereinbelow.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The simple fact that various characteristics are listed in the mutually dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these characteristics cannot be advantageously used. Finally, any reference used in the claims must not be interpreted as being a limitation to the scope of the invention. 

1. Workstation (20) intended in particular for use in an office environment, comprising a work surface (12) supported by at least one support element (14) comprising a set of feet, with the workstation being intended to be placed directly on the ground, with the work surface having an angle α to the horizontal plane, wherein the angle α is greater than or equal to 2° and less than or equal to 4°.
 2. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle α is greater than or equal to 2.5°.
 3. Workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle α is less than or equal to 3.5°.
 4. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the work surface comprises a longitudinal direction and the work surface is supported by the at least one support element in such a way that the straight line defined by the intersection of the work surface and of the horizontal plane is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the work surface.
 5. Workstation as claimed in claim 4, wherein the work surface is arranged in such a way that its side (12 a) intended to receive the user is lower than the opposite side (12 b) of the work surface.
 6. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, comprising means of inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle α between 2° and 4°.
 7. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the work surface has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85 cm.
 8. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is a frame whereon the work surface is cantilever mounted.
 9. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feet can be adjusted in height from a sitting position to a standing position.
 10. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, comprising a single work surface evenly inclined by an angle α.
 11. Workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the work surface comprises a longitudinal direction and the work surface is supported by the at least one support element in such a way that the straight line defined by the intersection of the work surface and of the horizontal plane is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the work surface.
 12. Workstation as claimed in claim 3, wherein the work surface comprises a longitudinal direction and the work surface is supported by the at least one support element in such a way that the straight line defined by the intersection of the work surface and of the horizontal plane is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the work surface.
 13. Workstation as claimed in claim 2, comprising means of inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle α between 2° and 4°.
 14. Workstation as claimed in claim 3, comprising means of inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle α between 2° and 4°.
 15. Workstation as claimed in claim 4, comprising means of inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle α between 2° and 4°.
 16. Workstation as claimed in claim 5, comprising means of inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle α between 2° and 4°.
 17. Workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the work surface has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85 cm.
 18. Workstation as claimed in claim 3, wherein the work surface has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85 cm.
 19. Workstation as claimed in claim 4, wherein the work surface has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85 cm.
 20. Workstation as claimed in claim 5, wherein the work surface has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85 cm. 